Using Graphics to Present InformationViewer Friendly means . . .Slide 3Slide 4Creating VisualsUse Both Kinds of VisualsPresentations allow parallel processing of information.First Two Slides of a PresentationCommunicating Environmental Risks with StakeholdersOutlineSlide 12Design Guidelines for SlidesMore GuidelinesSlide 15Slide 16PowerPoint PointersConsider using short sentence for title.How you present the data can mean the difference between life and death.Data on o-ring damage in field tests were used to calculate damage scores. Scores were then plotted against temperature.Guidelines for Visuals: DeliveryUsing Graphics to Present InformationPreparing viewer-friendly graphicsViewer Friendly means . . . from the viewer’s point of view!Taken from “Hoover Deep Draft Caisson Vessel in Perspective” by Sandstrom, Slocum and Heideman with ExxonMobil•Plan on using 20-25 slides for a 20-25 minute talk.–Temptation is to have too many!•Consider all delivery methods–You might consider other methods in addition to computer projection.Begin planning visuals as soon as outline is completed.Creating Visuals•Simplify the proposal or report graphics (graphs, tables, etc.)•Think BIG.• Include mapping visuals.Use Both Kinds of VisualsMapping–maps structure of talk–mostly wordsContent-oriented–graphs, bar charts, etc.–mostly imagesDesign Criteria Compatibility with current software Cost to develop Cost to consumer Adherence to industry standardsPresentations allow parallel processing of information.•Hearing and reading•Words and images•Make full use of this double opportunity–Use words as images–Make visual anything you can (even processes and concepts)First Two Slides of a Presentation1. Title slide–Includes your name and affiliation–Usually includes date.–Often includes name of event2. Agenda or Outline slide –Introduces topics, concepts, information to be discussed–Don’t make this generic!Communicating Environmental Risks with StakeholdersHillary HartDept. of Civil EngineeringUniversity of Texas at AustinSTC ConferenceMay 2005Outline•Research objectives•Background •Methodology•Results and Discussion•ConclusionsEvaluating Solutions for TXDoT• Background of intersection problem • Two possible solutions investigated– Two-part methodology– Three major evaluation criteria: cost, time, traffic flow • Evaluation of alternatives– Findings for Part 1– Findings for Part 2• Conclusions and Recommendations• Opportunity for questionsDesign Guidelines for Slides Design each slide to make one main point.Two visuals may be better than one.Use 20-24 pt. minimum font for text.Use 18 pt. minimum font for axesSans serif font projects best (Arial, etc.).Use few words; separate with lots of white space.No more than 7-8 linesNo more than 7-9 words/lineMore GuidelinesBe sure each visual makes the right point and emphasizes the right things.•Avoid clutter. Insert only essential points on graph.What’s wrong with this visual?PowerPoint Pointers•Use the design templates rather than the “AutoContent” wizard. Or customize slide master.•Be careful about colors – use very dark text on very light background or vice versa.–Avoid red text•Either keep slides consistent in design or vary according to subject matter.•Experiment with animations and dimming, but be cautious.Consider using short sentence for title.•Consider using title font smaller than the default.•Consider putting as much information as possible in visual form.How you present the data can mean the difference between life and death.•See two slides (actual and after-the-fact) on p. 7 of Dag Knudsen’s presentation (10/4).•See Tufte’s famous “damage index” – a better way to present information about the possible o-ring failure that caused the Challenger disaster.–from Visual and Statistical Thinking: Displays of Evidence for Making DecisionsData on o-ring damage in field tests were used to calculate damage scores. Scores were then plotted against temperature.Guidelines for Visuals: DeliveryLeave up visual only as long as you’re talking about it.Remember that YOU must still be the